ABSTRACT
The success of a profession’s project has traditionally been linked to its ability to maintain homogeneity2 through the preservation of the power to control entry to the profession. Although the solicitors’ profession is facing increasing fragmentation over a variety of issues,3 there is evidence that it maintains a strong homogeneity in terms of the social composition of the profession. Concerns over the profession’s continued homogeneity in terms of class, gender and race have been acknowledged by the Law Society.4 One of the strategies that emerged from the Dearing Report on higher education was a clear endorsement that opportunities for distance learning and part time study should be increased, specifically to encourage mature students and other under-represented societal groups to participate in higher education. In order to assess the effectiveness of this project in respect of legal education, this chapter draws upon qualitative research conducted by the authors, based on a sample group of students on the part time LLB programme at the Rutland Metropolitan University.5 Their views and opinions on the part time law degree will underpin our discussion of the increase in part time legal educational opportunities and its potential to impact upon the homogeneity of the profession. Integral to this discussion is a consideration of the barriers to practice these students perceive themselves as facing, as well as a preliminary
assessment of part time students’ likelihood of overcoming impediments to entry into the legal profession.
